Getting a phone plan in Japan as a foreigner used to be a pain. Now it’s pretty easy — as long as you know which SIM to actually go with and don’t accidentally end up paying ¥7,000 a month to one of the big carriers.
Can Foreigners Get a SIM Card in Japan?
Yes. You need:
- Residence card (在留カード) — proves you live in Japan
- Passport
- Bank account or credit card for payment
If you’re a tourist, you can get data-only SIMs at airports. If you’re a resident, you can get a full plan with calls and data — and you should, because the budget options are genuinely good.
Best SIM Cards for Foreigners in Japan
1. IIJmio — Best Overall
| Plan | Data | Price/month |
|---|---|---|
| Voice + 2GB | 2GB | ¥850 |
| Voice + 5GB | 5GB | ¥990 |
| Voice + 15GB | 15GB | ¥1,500 |
IIJmio is the one I’d recommend to most people starting out. It runs on NTT Docomo’s network so coverage is solid nationwide, there’s English support, the online sign-up is straightforward, and you can cancel anytime. For under ¥1,000 a month, it’s hard to beat.
2. Rakuten Mobile — Best for Heavy Users
| Plan | Data | Price/month |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | Unlimited | ¥3,278 |
If you’re constantly streaming or using data heavily, Rakuten’s flat unlimited rate makes sense. The app is available in English, and calls within Rakuten users are free.
Downside: Coverage is weaker in rural areas. In the major cities it’s fine.
3. Mineo — Best for Flexibility
| Plan | Data | Price/month |
|---|---|---|
| Voice + 1GB | 1GB | ¥1,298 |
| Voice + 5GB | 5GB | ¥1,518 |
| Voice + 10GB | 10GB | ¥1,958 |
Mineo has a unique feature where you can share unused data with other users in their community pool. They also offer three network options (Docomo, au, Softbank), which is useful if you already have a phone locked to a specific network.
4. LINEMO — Best for LINE Users
| Plan | Data | Price/month |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Plan | 3GB | ¥990 |
| Standard | 20GB | ¥2,728 |
If LINE is your main communication tool — and for a lot of people in Japan it is — LINEMO makes sense because LINE calls and messages don’t eat into your data at all. Simple setup, runs on Softbank’s network.
How to Sign Up
- Go to the provider’s website
- Choose your plan
- Upload a photo of your residence card (front and back)
- Upload a photo of your passport
- Enter your bank account or credit card details
- Wait 3–5 days for your SIM to arrive by post
That’s it. No going into a store, no Japanese-only paperwork. Most of these can be done entirely in English online.
Which One Should You Get?
Light user (under 5GB/month) → IIJmio
Heavy user (lots of YouTube/streaming) → Rakuten Mobile
LINE user → LINEMO
Want flexibility → Mineo
Bottom Line
Don’t overpay for a phone plan. Getting a cheap SIM in Japan with a residence card is easy, and the budget options genuinely work well. IIJmio is the safest starting choice — good coverage, cheap price, English support. Start there and switch later if your needs change.